Narrator’s Perspective Point of View

Narrator The one who tells the story Characters Everyone else in the story What’s the narrator’s position in the story? Or, what is the narrator’s POINT OF VIEW.

First-Person Narration The narrator is involved in the story. The Story Characters I or We the Narrator

First-Person tells “me” or “my” story. Example I went to the store with my friend. The clerk said, “Hi.” We bought candy and left. Who is telling the story? In First-Person the narrator is “I” or “we.”

Second-Person Narration The reader’s actions are narrated. The Story Characters (if any) You the Reader

Second-Person tells “your” story. Example You stayed up late last night and now you’re tired, but you need to pass this class. From whose perspective is the story told? In Second-Person the perspective of “you” is narrated. It is mainly used for instruction or directions.

Narrator Third-Person Narration The narrator is outside of the story. The Story Characters “He” “She” “They”

Third-Person tells “his” or “her” story. Also will refer to characters by name Example Chris loved basketball. Everyday he played after school. When it got dark, he watched it on TV. From whose perspective is the story told? In Third-Person the perspective of “he” or “she” is narrated.

Dialogue & Narration Dialogue = When characters speak. Narration = When the narrator speaks. I went home. My mom said, “Did you get out early?” I said, “No.” ONLY LOOK AT THE NARRATION, Or you’ll get confused.

Review 1 st Person = Narrator tells the story of “I” 2 nd Person = Narrator tells the story of “you” 3 rd Person = Tells the story of “he” or “she”

Remember! “I” am the first-person in the story. “You” are the second-person. “He” and “she” are the third. “I” First-Person “He” & “She” 3rd-Person “You” 2nd-Person The Story

Modes of Third-Person Narration Telling the Story

Dialogue and Narration Dialogue: characters’ “voices” Narration: the narrator’s voice She said, “Hey, you!” We are interested in narration.

Third-Person Narration Narrator tells “his” or “her” story. Three Types of 3 rd -Person: 1.Limited 2.Omniscient 3.Objective

What’s the Difference? Are characters’ inner thoughts narrated? Does narrator reveal thoughts and feelings? Character I feel sad. Narrator He felt sad.

3 rd -Person Objective Internal thoughts are not told. Readers may INFER thoughts and feelings based on actions or dialogue. Chris slowly walked up to Elma with his hands behind his back. “So… you want to go with me,” he said nervously. Elma blushed. “Ok.” Chris smiled. Characters’ internal thoughts not narrated.

3 rd -Person Objective: No characters’ thoughts. Chris Elma Ok. So, you want to go with me?

3 rd -Person Limited Narrator reveals thoughts and feelings of one character. Chris liked Elma since the third-grade, but he had never found the nerve to tell her. But one sunny day, Chris said to Elma, “So… you want to go with me?” Emma blushed and said, “Ok” Chris smiled. Tells his internal thoughts Internal Narration is limited to Chris

3 rd -Person Limited: One character’s thoughts. Chris I like Elma. Elma Ok. So, you want to go with me?

3 rd -Person Omniscient Omni = AllScient = Knowing Omniscient narrators tell more than one character’s thoughts or feelings. Chris had liked Elma since the third-grade. Little did he know that Elma liked him too. They both admired one another from a far, and waited. One day, Chris said to Elma, “So… you want to go with me?” Emma felt her stomach sink. She couldn’t believe it. Blushing, she said, “Ok.” Chris smiled. Omniscient narrator is all-knowing.

3 rd -Person Omniscient: Two or more characters’ thoughts. Chris I like Elma. Elma Ok. Oh, I like Chris. Want to go with me?

Telling the Difference 1.Focus on the narration. 2.Circle any narrated thoughts or feelings. 3.Count each characters’ thoughts. Only THIRD-PERSON has these modes. There is no first or second-person objective, omniscient, or limited narration.

Signal Words Knew Felt Contemplated Thought Understood Believed Reflected

Practice I will read ten paragraphs from ten books. You will determine whether the narrator’s perspective is first, second, or third-person in each text. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.